In painting you can't be afraid of an idea not turning out. Worrying about the end result of a painting before even getting started, has killed many a masterpiece before it got off the ground. It is important to remember that making art is a process, and that the process is often more valuable than what it actually produces. Recently, I got to tackling a large 6' piece of cardboard, all the while feeling unsure about what I wanted to do with it. Initially, I had an idea about including a bunch of different sketchbook portraits. Once finished, I found myself not really thrilled with the result. After a few days away, I revisited the painting with fresh eyes and a new idea began to evolve, right over top of the old one. Much more in tune with what I had originally wanted to create, Average Shelf Life was born through the natural layering process, an organic creation that earned its right to exist.
